The Strength and Conditioning concentration was designed for current practitioners, aspiring strength and conditioning coaches, personal trainers and athletic performance coaches. Our comprehensive program exceeds the requirements for the standard National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) certification and will prepare students for advanced certifications.

Students will study advanced topics such as strength and conditioning theory as well as gain the skills and knowledge to develop a strength and conditioning philosophy of their own. Not only will students be prepared for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam they will learn how to apply strength and conditioning principles, fine tune their programming skills, and be prepared for advanced certifications.

Our Strength and Conditioning program is recognized by the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association. The NSCA Education Recognition Program (ERP) recognizes and distinguishes schools with standardized, approved strength and conditioning or personal training curricula in undergraduate and graduate settings designed to prepare students for the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®) and NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certifications.

Students will explore upper extremity musculoskeletal anatomy with emphasis on systems that enable the human body to maintain proper stabilization and produce efficient movements. Students will develop human movement analysis techniques through assessment and evaluation of biomechanical movement patterns.

3

AES 6030

Kinesiology II

Students will explore trunk and lower extremity musculoskeletal anatomy with emphasis on systems that enable the human body to maintain proper stabilization and produce efficient movements. Students will develop human movement analysis techniques through assessment and evaluation of biomechanical movement patterns.

AES 6050

Research Design and Methods in Exercise Science

Selected research techniques and designs utilized in exercise science research with emphasis on general statistics, interpretation of data, research ethics, scientific writing and library use.

3

AES 6200

Applied Exercise Physiology

Effects of exercise on the major systems of the human body, including cardiorespiratory, neuromuscular, glandular and digestive; with emphasis on optimizing human performance.

3

AES 6300

Exercise and Sport Nutrition

Explores the relationships between nutrition, energy metabolism, and exercise and sport performance, with an in-depth analysis of dietary and nutritional supplementation.

3

AES 6990

Capstone Experience

Culminating experience in the Master of Science in Applied Exercise Science degree. Experiences may include, but is not limited to, independent research that leads to an actual product such as a publishable journal article, professional field experience, conference presentation, advanced certifications, program or facility development, web site, on-line course materials, curriculum development.

Explore the foundations of strength and conditioning as established by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Design and critique strength and conditioning programs based on NSCA guidelines. Designed to prepare students interested in becoming Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA.

3

AES 6820

Advanced Strength and Conditioning Theory

Explore the principles of resistance training and periodization. Develop periodized programs based on foundational and current literature. Critique and justify programming selections.

AES 6840

Practicum in Strength and Conditioning Theory

Development and implementation of a strength and conditioning program through a case study with a member of the community. Justify your programming selection and assess program success.

3

AES 6860

Seminar in Strength and Conditioning

In depth exploration and analysis of advanced topics in strength and conditioning. Evaluation of current industry trends and practices. Creation of personal strength and conditioning philosophy.

The faculty at Concordia University can be found hard at work in the fields they teach-specialties in kinesiology and sports studies. At Concordia, we realize that a top-flight education in only possible with best-in-class instructors with real-world experience. We recruit passionate professionals from around the globe who are committed to helping you achieve your academic and professional goals.

Our faculty are experienced and distinguished, combining years of hands-on clinic experience with extensive academic knowledge and teaching experience. Many of our faculty have the highest credential available in the field in which they teach. They demonstrate the highest degree of professional skills, and find unique ways to convey that knowledge in our remote online curriculum.

Our tuition is reasonable and will not change over time.

Concordia University Chicago is committed to providing students with a high-quality education at a reasonable cost. And for graduates, the benefits of obtaining a Master of Science degree can be very valuable. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the median of earnings for adults ages 25-34 working full-time, year-round, with a master’s degree or higher was $59,200, compared to just $44,970 for individuals with a bachelor’s degree.

A variety of career paths are attainable with a Masters degree in Applied Exercise Science.

A Masters degree in Applied Exercise Science from Concordia University Chicago can open many doors in numerous fields.
Our exercise science degree programs are 100% online, allowing students to achieve real-life success in their chosen profession, while advancing their careers.

Graduates in our graduate degree in exercise science go on to serve in a variety of capacities in fitness, wellness, sports management and leadership careers. Our students emerge from our programs in as little as 18 months with:

Increased earning potential

Job security

Job opportunities

Increased job satisfaction

Explore the following career opportunities. Talk with your student advisor for additional information on which degree program is right for you. Many of our students pursue careers in exercise science fields such as these areas:

A conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent non-U.S. degree.

To be considered for Full Admission at Concordia University, candidates in the MS Applied Exercise Science program will present a cumulative grade point average above 2.85 or will have earned a master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

To be considered for Provisional Admission to the program, candidates will present credentials that generally satisfy full admission requirements, but need to satisfy additional admission requirements such as special program prerequisites.

Note: All admission requirements must be satisfied by the end of the candidate’s first enrolled semester in the program. Provisional Admission is only available to US residents and citizens.

For students to be considered for Probationary Admission, one or more of the following special conditions may exist: 1) a cumulative GPA between 2.25 and 2.84 (on a 4.0 scale); 2) holding a master’s degree with a cumulative GPA below 3.0; and/or 3) credentials/documents that raise cause for reservation for admission. Students admitted on probationary status must earn a 3.0 GPA in graduate course work within their first semester of enrollment to continue in the program.

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What Our Students Are Saying

I love the curriculum and the ability to take one course at a time, along with the flexible payments that works with my salary. This degree will prepare me to work with other professors or medical doctors in the Exercise Science field to explore further research.

Nicholas MortensenPhD Health and Human Performance

I wanted to get a PhD to pursue a tenured-track position and perform research. The online courses have been highly engaging and have provided an outstanding learning experience preparing me to contribute as a scholar in my field of study.

Jason MenoutisPhD Health and Human Performance

My favorite class was research methods and design. The instructor’s feedback was extremely helpful and what I learned in this class will be applicable throughout the rest of my career. I also enjoyed my sports nutrition course because it was challenging and put me out of my comfort zone.

Cynthia MirandaMS Applied Exercise Science - Human Movement Science

The online format allows for me to continue expanding my business and professional goals while still pursuing a Master’s degree. I was initially worried as I had not previously had much experience with online coursework, but the format allows for structured, discussion based learning amongst peers.

The online format allows for me to continue expanding my business and professional goals while still pursuing a Master’s degree. I was initially worried as I had not previously had much experience with online coursework, but the format allows for structured, discussion based learning amongst peers.

James Crager is an avid mountain biker and workout enthusiast. He’s also the proud recipient of a brand-new bachelor of science degree in kinesiology, earned through Concordia-Chicago’s highly ranked accelerated degree program (ADP). … See MoreSee Less